FINDING BEAUTY
I have game that I will see beauty in everything,
However ugly or dirty I’ll find something to bring
A smile or a happy thought, a speck of nicety,
Even at a garbage dump on the outskirts of the city.
Amidst the garbage being all dug in and hidden away,
I saw a cute mouse family together nibbling that day
On some apple cores and other eatable goodies there,
A picture of love and unity with ugliness everywhere.
In the slums of a big city in some distant, far off land
With unbelievable poverty and filth there close at hand
I saw a group of ragged children laughing at their play,
No different than those who have good food every day.
At the site of a great forest fire next I stood and did cry,
Some stark dead trees stood still standing pointing high,
Others on the ground in tangled masses all burned lay,
In this scene where can I see beauty aloud I did say.
Miles and miles the dead forest before my eyes spread,
How could so much magnificence be burned and dead?
The acrid smell still lingered although the fire was long out,
Then for utter joy of heart I wanted to clap my hands and shout.
At a closer look tiny firs grew forcing their way to light,
Struggling through the tangled mass brought me delight.
That was years ago now those fir trees and others too,
Are a few feet tall now new beauty comes to view.
In a dirty shipyard, by a dock of busy working men,
Was where beauty came as I saw my very first wren,
Saw seagulls swoop down and catch a fish for free,
Not having to fight the fury of a storm tossed sea.
Look around and find beauty for yourself everywhere,
Then in your heart quietly give the Lord a quiet prayer,
Never just see the ugly things but always try and find
Lovely things as you play this game in your mind.
(Millicent) Ann Margetson February 23, 2003